Adequate Compaction

Q.When compacting a gravel
base for a slab, how can you tell when the gravel is
compact enough?

A.Jay Meunier
responds: The only positive way is to have a
Proctor test done. A Proctor test uses special
equipment, which a soils engineering firm would
have, to measure the percentage of compaction.
Typically, though, if the compaction has been done
using mechanical compactors in 8- to 12-inch lifts,
the compaction should be adequate, as long as the
soils underneath are good quality.

Jay Meunier is an estimator for Pizzagalli
Construction in Burlington, Vt.